Had a smile reading the article about Essendon's ruck crisis. Their project ruckman Sam Draper is injured and likely out for the season. They stil have Bellchambers, Clarke, McKernan and Stewart who can pinch hit. Compare that to the Swans who have Sinclair, Tippett now retired, Naismith injured for nearly two years, McLean mystery injury and Cameron unknown injury. If Sinclair is injured we have no one at present and would be looking at the likes of Amartey, Aliir, or Reid (possibly injured) as our first ruck. I really feel sorry for Essendon.
After seeing Clarke (ess ruck) get a game on Friday, I think Essendon's ruck crisis is way worse than ours.
Having seen a lot of baseball in the US over the years, I like the idea once suggested here of a ruckmen "bullpen". Each team
in addition to their starting 22 would have an unlimited number of generally uncoordinated and physically flimsy very tall
people (known as ruckmen) who would be kept on a separate bench away from the main playing group during games.
At the SCG perhaps the area near the goals at the Paddington end where they bring the heavy roller out from during the
cricket season would be suitable. It would also provide easy access for ambulances to take them away as they succumbed
to injuries throughout the game. Only one ruckmen would be allowed on the field at any one time, and as they fell to
injury or were playing poorly, they could be replaced by another ruckmen from the bullpen.
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